Lions OC Anthony Lynn prefers to sit a rookie QB

While serving as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2020 season, Anthony Lynn began the campaign with veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor atop the depth chart and ahead of rookie Justin Herbert until Taylor was sidelined due to a pain-killing injection that went horribly wrong. 

Now the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Lynn told reporters during a Wednesday video call that he wouldn't change his handling of a first-year quarterback if given the final say on the matter. 

"If he wins the battle in camp, he’s gotta play the best player," Lynn explained, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "If you don’t, you’ll have a riot in the locker room. . . . If I can sit a rookie, I will. If I can." 

Jared Goff will likely begin April as QB1 for the Lions once the trade with the Los Angeles Rams becomes official, and none of the three CBS Sports draft analysts are currently predicting Detroit will select a quarterback in the first round of this year's draft. 

Earlier this week, however, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had the Lions acquiring Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields in his latest mock draft. By all accounts, Goff will have to win the Detroit starting gig in a competition that involves either a proven veteran or a rookie such as Fields, regardless of Lynn's preferences.